Great news for embedded and IoT solution providers! The wait for Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 vs window 11 pro is over. This long-anticipated update brings the benefits of Windows 11 to your devices. While the standard Windows 11 launched in late 2021, the IoT LTSC version wasn’t available then. Some users have been using Windows 11 Pro or the General Availability Channel (GAC) edition of Windows 11 IoT Enterprise as a stopgap. However, these versions lack features crucial for long-term stability in application-specific products with extended lifecycles. To highlight the advantages of Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024, we’ve compiled a top 11 reasons list showcasing its benefits over Pro and GAC versions.

Long Lifecycle Product Availability for Ten Years

The IoT LTSC versions of Windows 11 offer a 10-year lifecycle, providing ten years of availability for purchase and resale. This long-term availability allows for reliable planning for the lifespan of your appliances. In contrast, the Windows 11 Pro edition will reach its end of life shortly after the subsequent release, which is expected to be Windows 12 Pro around 2025.

Regulatory Compliance for Healthcare, Gaming, and Aerospace Industries

Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC goes beyond the capabilities of Windows 11 Pro, specifically catering to compliance needs in industries like healthcare, gaming, automotive, and aerospace. It offers unique features and certifications that ensure adherence to strict regulatory standards in these sectors, building on the foundation of the Windows 11 Enterprise edition to address critical compliance requirements.

Enhanced System Performance for Resource-Constrained Embedded Applications

LTSC versions of Windows enhance system performance and efficiency by removing unnecessary features and background processes, which is vital for resource-constrained embedded devices. The operating system excludes many consumer applications like Xbox, Weather, News, and the Store, and includes removable packages to facilitate streamlined custom installations. In contrast, Windows 11 Pro restricts the removal or control of specific components.

Reduced Maintenance with Quality/Security-Related Updates Only

LTSC versions benefit from minimal feature updates and modifications, reducing maintenance needs and lowering the risk of compatibility issues, which helps decrease downtime and total cost of ownership (TCO) for devices. You will receive only quality updates, consisting of security patches and hotfixes to ensure ongoing reliability and compatibility. In contrast, Windows 11 Pro mandates Windows Updates and pushes users to upgrade to newer builds with additional features, potentially compromising system stability and necessitating ongoing testing.

Compatibility with Legacy Applications

Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 is built on the full Windows 11 platform, ensuring high compatibility with any application running on other Windows 11 editions. LTSC versions focus on maintaining compatibility with legacy applications and hardware, allowing older software and peripherals to function seamlessly without compatibility problems.

Enhanced Security with Device Guard & BitLocker

Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC offers enhanced security features, including Device Guard, Credential Guard, and BitLocker encryption, providing robust protection against malware, data breaches, and unauthorized access. In comparison, Windows 11 Pro has more limited security options.

Optional Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and Secure Boot

Windows 11 Pro requires secure boot and a TPM 2.0 module. However, with Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024, you have the option to enable or disable these features. Although using both secure boot and a TPM module is advisable, the LTSC 2024 edition gives you the option.

Additional Customization and Lockdown Features

Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 offers extensive customization and lockdown capabilities, enabling OEMs to fine-tune the operating system according to specific device needs and control access to certain features or applications. This edition provides a broader range of lockdown features than Windows 11 Pro.

Full Re-Imaging Rights with Full Recovery Media Options

Windows 11 Professional has strict limitations on re-imaging rights, preventing OEMs and resellers from altering the factory image by adding extra software applications or custom configurations and then creating a completely new image. Although end users have the right to do this, OEMs and resellers with 11 Pro are prohibited. Conversely, Windows IoT products grant OEMs the ability to develop an entirely new, highly customized image that includes additional software applications, and create a recovery image that can restore the device to its factory settings with all customizations and applications intact.

Performance-Based Pricing

The pricing for Windows IoT products depends on the performance of the device’s processor, enabling OEMs to acquire a full Windows operating system license at a substantial discount for smaller-footprint devices. In contrast, Windows 11 Pro is available at a fixed price regardless of the processor used.

Ten Years of Extended Support for Extra Long Security and Lifecycle Support

LTSC versions of Windows 11 offer ten years of extended support and stability, delivering updates and security patches over a longer period than standard Windows editions. In contrast, Windows 11 Pro receives two years of support for each build version.

For devices requiring long-term stability and an extended lifecycle, consider Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024, which offers support until 2034.